Aragon WSB: Melandri ups the pace to take provisional pole

Last year Melandri and Biaggi shared the spoils and after today’s sessions it looks like they will be the men to beat again in 2012.

Speaking to MCN, Melandri said: “The lap time was good but we’re struggling with the consistency of the front tyre. It felt unstable and it was not easy because at this track we have a lot of long braking areas where we are lent over. But this is a problem for everyone.”

Max Biaggi secured the second fastest time on his factory Aprilia which is clearly working well at the flowing Aragon track. He claimed second ahead of Kawasaki man Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty.

Leon Haslam claimed fifth spot despite admitting to MCN that he wasn’t particularly happy with the set-up of his S1000RR.

Chaz Davies showed his speed once again in qualifying to set the eighth fastest time onboard his ParkinGO Aprilia one place ahead of Fixi Crescent Suzuki rider Leon Camier.

Jonathan Rea’s efforts to learn the track were dealt a cruel blow when he suffered an engine failure with 15 minutes of the session to go. At the time he was up to tenth place, but slipped to 14th. He used the remaining minutes of the session to watch his rivals lapping the track in an effort to learn lines in preparation for tomorrow.